Students enrolled at VUSC with learning disabilities are welcome to contact the Office of Learning Assistance on a voluntary, self-identifying basis before or within the first two weeks of the semester.

Special services are available for students who qualify as having a learning disability according to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Section—1973, and Americans with Disabilities Act—1990, “an individual with a disability” in reference to an impairment “that substantially limits one or more of the individual’s major life activities.”

The student is responsible:

To show proof of a learning disability.

For the cost of testing and documentation.

If necessary, for the cost of supplemental evaluation and assessment if the documentation is incomplete.

Eligibility for Special Services

Students with learning disabilities may be eligible for special services after submitting a “Request for Accommodations” form and then completing registration with the Office of Learning Assistance before or within the first two weeks of the semester and provide:

Recent documentation of the learning disability completed within the last three (3) years.

The testing report that includes tests administered with scores; diagnosis; how the individual’s learning processes are affected; and a narrative report including recommended classroom accommodations.

A Qualified Student with a Learning Disability:

Must first meet Vanguard’s academic admissions requirements.

Be able to function independently and advocate for him or herself.

Put the request for accommodations in writing.

Provide recent and appropriate legal documentation of the learning disability completed within the last three (3) years.

Register each semester with the Office of Learning Assistance.

Responsibility of the Student in Receiving Accommodations:

Submit a “Request for Accommodations” form to the Office of Learning Assistance.

Meet with the Director of Learning Skills to submit legal documentation of a learning disability before or within the first two weeks of the semester.

Once eligibility has been established, agree to the Educational Plan and deliver the “Accommodation Letters” to all professors and follow up with a conversation.

Maintain contact with professors to ensure that accommodations remain in place.

Meet with the Director of Learning Skills as scheduled.

Decisions Regarding Requested Accommodations

Accommodation requests are to be put in writing and submitted to the Office of Learning Assistance. Decisions regarding requested accommodations are made by the Director of Learning Skills on a case-by-case basis upon review of the student’s documentation file. All information and documents are confidential.

Not a part of the Special Services for Students with Learning Disabilities:

Vanguard does not provide diagnostic testing services for a learning disability.

Grade tracking is not a part of special services offered at Vanguard.

Providing accommodations for students with learning disabilities is not to alter the fundamental nature of a course, course requirements, program, or degree.

Grievance Procedure

A student who has submitted a request for accommodations in writing and who wishes to appeal the decision or submit a complaint may do so in writing to the Director of Learning Skills. The student may expect an acknowledgement of the appeal within five (5) days. The Director of Learning Skills will then take the appeal to the Provost for a review of the appeal and for a final decision. The student may expect a written response of the final decision within ten (10) days.